We tarried, on the way, one week in Salt Lake City.  It was at the time of the Godby secession, when several hundred Mormons abjured that portion of the faith of their fathers which authorized polygamy.  A decision had just been rendered by the United States Supreme Court declaring the first wife and her children the only legal heirs.  Whether this decision hastened the secession I do not know; however, it gave us the advantage of hearing all the arguments for and against the system.  Those who were opposed to it said it made slaves of men.  To support four wives and twenty children was a severe strain on any husband.  The women who believed in polygamy had much to say in its favor, especially in regard to the sacredness of motherhood during the period of pregnancy and lactation; a lesson of respect for that period being religiously taught all Mormons.

We were very thankful for the privilege granted us of speaking to the women alone in the smaller Tabernacle.  Our meeting opened at two o’clock and lasted until seven, giving us five hours of uninterrupted conversation.  Judge McKeon had informed me of the recent decisions and the legal aspects of the questions, which he urged me to present to them fully and frankly, as no one had had such an opportunity before to speak to Mormon women alone.  So I made the most of my privilege.  I gave a brief history of the marriage institution in all times and countries, of the matriarchate, when the mother was the head of the family and owned the property and children; of the patriarchate, when man reigned supreme and woman was enslaved; of polyandry, polygamy, monogamy, and prostitution.  We had a full and free discussion of every phase of the question, and we all agreed that we were still far from having reached the ideal position for woman in marriage, however satisfied man might be with his various experiments.  Though the Mormon women, like all others, stoutly defend their own religion, yet they are no more satisfied than any other sect.  All women are dissatisfied with their position as inferiors, and their dissatisfaction increases in exact ratio with their intelligence and development.

After this convocation the doors of the Tabernacle were closed to our ministrations, as we thought they would be, but we had crowded an immense amount of science, philosophy, history, and general reflections into the five hours of such free talk as those women had never heard before.  As the seceders had just built a new hall, we held meetings there every day, discussing all the vital issues of the hour; the Mormon men and women taking an active part.

We attended the Fourth of July celebration, and saw the immense Tabernacle filled to its utmost capacity.  The various States of the Union were represented by young girls, gayly dressed, carrying beautiful flags and banners.  When that immense multitude joined in our national songs, and the deep-toned organ filled the vast dome the music was very impressive, and the spirit of patriotism manifested throughout was deep and sincere.